Monarch Butterfly Journey

2 , 8 0 O MILES FRO M CENT R AL M E XICO TO IHE UP PER MID W E S T A multi generational voyage Milkweed tMonarchs SEPT MEXICO/F JAN /PACIFIC GROVE OVER WINTER IN NOV ATH GENERATION DEC FEB 3-4 weeks (Life MAR 3RD (Danaus plexippus) SEASONAL OCT MIGRATION APR IS SEP RD GENERATION JUL 2ND GENERATION MAY SUMMER MIGRATIO AUG JUN JULY The monarch butterfly migrates each year to escape freezing weather in SPRING MIGRATION ADULT LIVES 6-7 months the northern winter, and rests for several months in the forested mountains 4TH 3-4 weeks of Mexico. Then, in the spring, they migrate back north to find milkweed on which to lay their eggs. Life Cycle 2ND It takes 3-4 generations of monarchs to complete the cycle from their over-wintering site and back. The butterflies who have over-wintered in Mexico head out in spring to find mates and lay eggs on the milkweed leaf. The next 3 generations live for a couple month before the final "super" 4th generation heads back to Mexico, MAY NOVEMBER 3-4 weeks over winters and then heads 10 days Life 1ST Cycle out again. The two black spots 10 days indicates that this is a male 2-3 days Milkweed bloom s MARCH MIGRATES NORTH in summer Migration Monarch Leaves are oval and butterflies typically 3"-9" long, are not able smooth on top, with to survive the hair on underside. cold winters of most Stem is short, thick of the United States so they migrate south and west each autumn to escape the cold weather. Monarchs roost in and reddish. CANADA a specific tree at each location Monarch butterflies only lay their eggs on Milkweed leaves, so that the young caterpillars have a food source as it grows. U.S.A. Eucalyptus tree PACIFIC GROVE, CA 1st STAGE Egg Some butterflies will stay where milkweed MEXICO is plentiful and not continue northward. Each spring the Monarch butterflies head north to find milkweed to lay their eggs. Oyamel Fir MICHOACAN, MEXICO As each butterfly huddles in the warmth of its neigh- bors for protection against Quéretaro O Santiago de Queretaro Guanajuato Hidalgo 3rd STAGE the chill of 10,000 feet of eleva- 2nd STAGE Pupa 4th STAGE tion, their clusters resemble little Larva (Caterpillar) (Chrysalis) Adult Morelia O 1996 45 acres MEXICO CITY more than dead leaves on the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (Butterfly) Tlaxcala Federá SIERRA MADRE DEL SUR MOUNTAINS State of branch. However, when a ray of sun- light breaks through the clouds and warms them, millions of butterflies take to the air and a gentle rustling sound can be heard - Michoácan Mexico Monarch population in the Sierra Madre in rapid decline Puebla Morelos 2004 1.5 acres the beating of millions of tiny wings. 130 mls Milkweed grew abundantly across the midwest until ... Milkweed is the only Adult Monarch food sources Milkweed at CNC food source for the Monarch caterpillar Adult monarchs can feed off a variety of nectar producing plants The milkweed was a common native plant growing abundantly along roadsides and fields throughout the midwest, directly in Inside the plant is a sticky sap that contains a mild poison; its bitter taste the path of the monarch's migration route. Perennials warns away many of the animals and insects that try to eat its tender leaves. Asters Over the past decade, the decrease of the monarch population is staggering due to a devastating trend of habitat loss affecting hundreds of species. Bee Balm Butterfly Bush Butterfly Weed Coreopsis Certain insects, including monarch butterfly larvae, are immune to the toxin. By feeding exclusively on milkweed leaves, they are able to accumulate enough of the poison in Common Milkweed Asclepias syriaca Monarch caterpillers need milkweed to survive but widespread use of pesti- cides, as well as development and common mowing practices have contrib- uted to the scarcity of milkweed along the monarch's migratory routes. Purple Coneflower Hollyhock Lavendar their bodies to make them distasteful Lupine Extreme weather conditions are causing a disturbance in monarch migration with cold weather snaps in Mexico and drought in the United States, which may affect late blooming nectar sources on the migration route. Milkweed to predators. Phlox Black-eyed Susan Salvia What CNC is Doing Shasta Daisy Violets Yarrow With nearly 50 years of habitat preservation experience, Cincinnati Nature Center is leading the charge to raise awareness about monarchs and other im- portant pollinators. Through the Milkweeds to Monarchs initiative, we'll offer educational and stewardship programs to increase the monarch's habitat. Over the last five years, we've enhanced 50 acres of old agricultural fields to grass- land with native plants like milkweed, which is critical to butterfly survival, and have plans to create more milkweed habitat. We also facilitate citizen scient programs and academic research on our lands. We hope to help everyone un- derstand the role they can play to ensure survival of this beloved species. Butterfly Milkweed Asclepias tuberosa Annuals Alyssum Cosmos Heliotrope Marigolds Nasturtium Salvia Zinnia Biennials Red Clover Queen Anne's Lace What You Can Do Sweet William Tagging Programs Plant milkweed - necessary for monarch caterpillars Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata CINCINNATI NATURE CENTER help use learn about Provide nectar plants for adult monarch butterflies migratory paths Practice and support organic gardening, lawn care and farming without pesticides. FALL MIGRATION SPRING MIGRATION ST GENERATION MIGRATE SOUTH > approx. 2,500 miles WINTER IN MEXICO Life Cycle 4th Generation 2nd Gen 3rd Gen USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 3: 30. 1st Gen H I 8 ON M IG RATE